Covenant Renewal and the Consecration of the Gentiles in Romans Society for New Testament Studies Monograph Series

In his letter to the Romans, Paul describes the community in Rome as 'holy ones'. This study considers Paul's language in relation to the Old Testament, particularly accounts of the events at Mount Sinai that established the nation of Israel and consecrated its people as God's holy people. Sarah Whittle illustrates how Paul reworks citations from Deuteronomy, Hosea, and Isaiah to incorporate the Gentiles into Israel's covenant-renewal texts. Analysing key passages, she further ties the covenant-making narrative to themes of sacrificed bodies and moral transformation, fulfilment of the Torah, the promises of the fathers, and Paul's priestly ministry. This volume argues that the latter has a climactic function in Paul's letter, overseeing the offering of the Gentiles, who are 'made holy by the holy spirit'. This study will be of interest to scholars of New Testament studies, Pauline theology, and early Christianity.

1. Introduction; Part I. Romans 9-11: Paul's Covenant-Renewal Hermeneutics: 2. Romans 9:24-25: Hosea foretells the renewal of the covenant and the inclusion of the Gentiles; 3. Romans 10:5-13: righteousness by faith and the covenant renewal of Deuteronomy 30; 4. Romans 11:26-27: the coming of Isaiah's 'redeemer', and the covenant to deal with Israel's sin; Part II. Romans 12-15: Covenant Renewal and Consecration: 5. Romans 12:1-2: sacrificed bodies, the transformed mind, and the renewed covenant; 6. Romans 13:8-10: neighbour love, holiness, and the law's fulfilment; 7. Romans 15:7-13: God's faithfulness in Christ at the renewal of the covenant and the constitution of a people; 8. Romans 15:15-16: Paul's priestly ministry and the offering of the Gentiles; 9. Conclusion.

Sarah Whittle is Lecturer in Biblical Studies at Nazarene Theological College, Manchester. She is also chair of the British New Testament Conference's Paul Seminar.